Orange Cookiesrn

Name: Orange Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest; ½ cup unsalted butter, (softened); 1 large egg, (room temperature); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ cup buttermilk; ½ cup orange juice; 1½ cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, (melted); 1 tablespoon orange zest; 4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream, (as needed to thin)

a close up shot of Orange Cookies stacked on top of each other with one having a bite taken out

Orange cookies are a delicious treat with the indulgent and refreshing flavor combination of citrusy orange and creamy frosting.

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Servings

Table of Contents

Orange Cookies Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Orange Cookies Recipe
Troubleshooting These Orange Drop Cookies
How To Serve
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Bursting with the sweet and tangy flavor of oranges, these soft orange cookies are sure to delight the senses. The citrus creates an irresistible aroma and the cookie has a rich, buttery undertone that adds a depth to the flavor profile.

Orange Cookies Ingredients

Orange Cookies raw ingredients that are labeled

Orange cookies have a delicious, sweet, and tangy taste that is sure to tantalize the taste buds.

The citrus flavor of the oranges creates a fresh and zesty aroma, while the icing completes the cookies in just the right way.

When bitten into, these soft orange cookies are bursting with a juicy sweetness that lingers on the tongue.

To make this delectable treat, you’ll need:

For The Cookies

1 cup of granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of grated orange zest
½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2½ cups of all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
½ cup of buttermilk
½ cup of orange juice

For The Orange Icing

1½ cups of powdered sugar
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon of orange zest
4 to 5 tablespoons of heavy cream, as needed to thin

Substitutions And Additions

SPICE: For an additional flavor dimension in this orange cookie recipe, add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or nutmeg.

CITRUS: For more of an intense citrus flavor, use ½ cup of lemon juice instead of orange juice. Or try using a combination of both!

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Add ½ cup of white chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips for an extra surprise.

NUTS AND SEEDS: To add crunch and texture to these orange cookies, stir in ¼ cup of chopped walnuts or almonds.

How To Make This Orange Cookies Recipe

These delicious cookies come together quickly by mixing up simple cookie dough. Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake. Finally, mix up the sweet orange glaze before spreading it on top of the cooled cookies.

Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make a batch of these yummy cookies.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.

STEP TWO: In a small bowl, use your fingers to mix together the sugar and fresh orange zest, massaging the oils from the zest into the sugar granules.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Massaging the orange zest into the sugar is a fantastic trick to really integrate the oils into the cookies. You can alternately use food-grade orange oil in the recipe.

STEP THREE: Place the softened butter and orange sugar into the large bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl.

STEP FOUR: Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat for 2 to 3 minutes more, on high speed, until the mixture pales in color and is fluffy and creamy.

PRO TIP:

Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs together well – this is important for achieving a cookie with the right texture. Although the dough will be very soft, it will hold its shape and form a soft, chewy cookie when baked.

egg and vanilla added to the sugar mixture

STEP FIVE: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Then, add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.

STEP SIX: Add part of the buttermilk and orange juice, followed by the remaining flour mixture and then the remaining liquids. Beat just until combined. The dough will be very soft.

The Importance of Not Overmixing this Orange Cookie Recipe

In general, when making cookies, it’s best to beat the dough just until the ingredients are combined to avoid these issues. Beating the cookie dough too long can have a few negative effects:

Tough Cookies: Overbeating develops too much gluten from the flour. Gluten provides structure to baked goods, but too much of it can lead to cookies that are tough and hard, rather than tender and crumbly.
Excessive Spread: Overbeating can also incorporate too much air into the dough. This might cause the cookies to rise too much initially in the oven, but then they collapse and spread out too much, leading to flat cookies.
Uneven Browning: Overbeaten dough can lead to uneven browning. The cookies might have dark spots where the sugar has caramelized more in some areas than others.
Dry Texture: Overbeating can cause the butter to become too warm, which can lead to a drier texture in the final cookies.

STEP SEVEN: This is a no-chill recipe. As soon as the orange cookie dough is made, scoop using a cookie scoop or teaspoons and place the scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.

STEP EIGHT: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until the tops are set and appear dry on top.

PRO TIP:

Bake just until the cookies are set – they will spread while baking but form a nice little dome. The bottoms of the cookies should be just barely golden; if baked too long, the cookies will be dry.

STEP NINE: Cool the baked cookies for several minutes, and then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP TEN: Beat together the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.

STEP ELEVEN: Use an offset spatula or knife to spread the frosting over the tops of the cooled cookies. The frosting will set after 10 to 15 minutes.

Troubleshooting These Orange Drop Cookies

I can’t taste the orange in my cookies – Our recipe suggests massaging the orange zest into the sugar to release the oils and integrate them into the cookies. If this step is skipped or not done properly, the orange flavor might not be as pronounced.

My cookies are too dry – Flat cookies can result from several factors. An oven that’s too hot can lead the cookies to spread before they have a chance to rise. If your baking soda or baking powder is old, it won’t provide the necessary lift. In addition, overmixing the dough can deflate air bubbles and lead to dense, flat cookies.

My cookies are too flat – Cookies can turn out dry due to several reasons. Overbaking is a common cause; even a few extra minutes in the oven can lead to dry cookies. Additionally, if the dough is overmixed, it can lead to flat cookies.

My cookies are crumbling – If the dough is not mixed thoroughly, the ingredients may not bind together properly. This includes if the flour is not fully incorporated or if the butter (fats) and sugars are not creamed properly.

How To Serve

Orange sugar cookies can be served with a variety of accompaniments, such as vanilla ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even caramel sauce. These flavors will contrast and complement the rich flavor of the orange cookie itself.

To enhance the overall experience, serve your orange cookies for an afternoon snack with a hot beverage like coffee, tea, or a vanilla latte for an indulgent treat.

For even more recipes with oranges, have a look at our orange truffles and orange sherbet too.

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Storage

Whether you want to make them ahead of time, keep them fresh in the fridge, or store them in the freezer for future cravings, here’s what you need to know:

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re looking to get a head start on these orange cookies, you can make the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container before chilling. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before scooping and baking the cookies as directed.

ON THE COUNTER: Store the unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Iced orange cookies can be stored on the countertop in an airtight container, stacked with sheets of parchment paper between. The frosting will crust over slightly but will not stay neat if cookies are stacked.

IN THE FREEZER: If you want to savor these sweet cookies for a longer period, freezing is an excellent option. To freeze the cookies, make sure they are completely cooled first.

Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag. If stacking the cookies, separate the layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. The cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.

overhead shot of Orange Cookies with sliced oranges

These buttery orange cookies are a delicious treat that you can easily make at home with just a few simple ingredients. Whether you’re serving them as an afternoon snack or adding some to your dessert repertoire, these orange cookies will surely please any citrus lover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the topping for these refreshing cookies optional or necessary?

If you would prefer to leave off the icing, these cookies are perfectly delicious on their own.

Can I store these cookies on the counter?

This orange cookie recipe can be stored on the counter for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Can I freeze these cookies?

This great recipe for orange cookies can be frozen for up to three months, either as cookie dough or as baked cookies.

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Orange Cookies

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Orange cookies are a delicious treat with the indulgent and refreshing flavor combination of citrusy orange and creamy frosting.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Servings

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Ingredients

Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup orange juice

Icing

1½ cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon orange zest
4 to 5 tablespoons heavy cream, as needed to thin

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small bowl, use your fingers to mix together the sugar and orange zest, massaging the oils from the zest into the sugar granules.
Place the softened butter and orange sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat for 2 to 3 minutes more, on high speed, until the mixture pales in color and is fluffy and creamy.
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a separate bowl. Then, add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
Add part of the buttermilk and orange juice, followed by the remaining flour mixture and then the remaining liquids. Beat just until combined. The dough will be very soft.
Scoop using a cookie scoop or teaspoons and place the scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10 minutes, until the tops are set and appear dry on top.
Cool for several minutes, and then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Beat together the frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
Use an offset spatula or knife to spread the frosting over the tops of the cookies. The frosting will set after 10 to 15 minutes.

Notes

Massaging the orange zest into the sugar is a fantastic trick to really integrate the oils into the cookies. You can alternately use food-grade orange oil in the recipe.
Cream the butter, sugar, and eggs together well – this is important for achieving a cookie with the right texture. Although the dough will be very soft, it will hold its shape and form a soft, chewy cookie when baked.
This is a no-chill recipe. As soon as the orange cookie dough is made, you can scoop it onto the cookie sheet for baking.
Bake just until the cookies are set – they will spread while baking but form a nice little dome. The bottoms of the cookies should be just barely golden; if baked too long, the cookies will be dry.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Stefanie Knaus Photographer
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